Welcome to the Royal Commonwealth Society Canterbury (NZ) Branch Inc.

Royal Commonwealth Society Canterbury (NZ) Branch Inc | Supporting Commonwealth Connections

Royal Commonwealth Society Canterbury (NZ) Branch Inc, is affiliated with the Royal Commonwealth Society based in Westminster, London.

The Society has been in existence for more than 100 years. On the 26th June 1868 a group of individuals in London established a ‘literary and scientific body’ dedicated to the greater understanding of what were then British Colonies.  A year later, it was granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria.  In the early decades of the 20th century, the Royal Empire Society, now known as the Royal Commonwealth Society became increasingly progressive, admitting women as members from 1922, and encouraging a young and diverse membership.

The RCS supports youth, good governance, human rights and democracy along with other member countries.

The Society champions the importance of literacy, equality and inclusion. 

The RCS is a registered charity (CC10669). 

What We Do

Celebrate the current year’s King’s Honours recipients with an appropriate event.

Financially support undergraduate and post-graduate students undertaking arts, sciences and academic subjects.

We sponsor post-graduate students whose theses are relevant to improvements within the Commonwealth.

Give financial assistance towards the registration fee for students attending SCHOGM (the student equivalent to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting annually).

Prizes to Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition award recipients.

Our Patron

Our Patron Her Excellency The Rt Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM QSO DSU

Our Patron Her Excellency The Rt Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro.

Contact Us

View of Big Ben clock tower and the Palace of Westminster in London, with a busy bridge and people in the foreground and cloudy sky.
A table set for a formal event, with plates, utensils, and napkins underneath a dark ceiling with warm lighting.
Open notebook with handwritten notes and a silver fountain pen resting on the page, with blurred background.
Tray of drinks at a function.
The centre of Christchurch with the tram.